It has recently been discovered that Poland boasts Europe’s largest deposits of shale gas, an estimated 5.3 trillion cubic metres, which according to the US Energy Information Administration is enough to supply the country’s energy needs for the next 300 years.

Oilprice.com reports that Poland has welcomed US companies such as Chevron NYSE: CVX, Exxon Mobil, Conoco and Marathon, in the hope that their knowledge of fracking technologies will enable the extraction of the gas.

Tapping into Polish shale gas potential could enable Polish and European countries in general to lessen reliance on Russian gas provider Gazprom, which currently provides 25 per cent of Europe’s gas.

Polish authorities hope for estimated production to begin in 2014.

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